Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne, center, was surrounded by teammates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup soccer match between Belgium and the United States on Tuesday.
Matt Dunham
The Associated Press

Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne, center, was surrounded by teammates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup soccer match between Belgium and the United States on Tuesday.
Matt Dunham
The Associated Press

So long, U.S. soccer ‘fans,’ see you in four years

Belgium’s convincing 2-1 victory over the U.S. soccer team Tuesday in Brazil brought our country’s stay in the 2014 World Cup to a disappointing end.

Now begins the every-four-year discussion:

Is soccer finally gaining real strength in this country as a beloved spectator sport — which the overflow crowds at the Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City indicate is possible?

Or, is the quadrennial World Cup still just a great opportunity to get behind a team from this nation for a few weeks — such as with the Summer and Winter Olympics — only to go back to our usual love of football, baseball and basketball the next 47 months?

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

And, as expected, hard-core soccer fans already weighing in with the facts that Sporting KC attendance is doing great, the league is doing well in its limited markets and — of course — there’s always the hope that young soccer players will become paying fans in the future.